Question

A client with nutritional deficits is about to undergo a serum albumin test. The nurse instructs the client to:

a) Fast for 24 hours before the test
b) Increase protein intake the day before the test
c) Consume a high-carbohydrate diet before the test
d) Drink plenty of water on the day of the test

Answer 1

The client should consume a high-carbohydrate diet before the test. Fasting or increasing protein intake is not necessary. Drinking plenty of water may be advised for hydration purposes.

Step-by-step explanation:

The client should consume a high-carbohydrate diet before the test. This is because glucose tolerance tests, which measure the body's ability to tolerate glucose, require the patient to maintain a carbohydrate-rich diet in the days leading up to the test.

By consuming a high-carbohydrate diet, the body stores more glucose and releases it gradually during the test, allowing for accurate measurements of glucose levels. This helps assess the client's potential for conditions like diabetes mellitus.

In contrast, fasting for 24 hours before the test or increasing protein intake the day before the test would not be necessary or helpful. Drinking plenty of water on the day of the test may be advised for hydration purposes, but it does not directly impact the results of a serum albumin test.